In the Mediterranean the vine has been an important part of the economy since Roman times. Viticulture expanded within Gaul during warmer climate phases and regressed during cold periods. Now it is spreading strongly to northern Europe and suffering from drought in North Africa, Spain, and southern Italy. This will worsen if global warming exceeds 2 °C above the preindustrial period. While the driver of this is increased greenhouse gases, we show that the main past forcing was volcanic activity.